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Author
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Topic: Anybody own an E-bow?
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Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 10 April 2006 12:32 PM
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Ken Rollans played at the Fiske Theater in Oak Grove Saturday, and on one of his songs he used an E-bow. It sounded purty close to a fiddle to me. Anybody else own one of these? if so how do you like it for a fiddle sound?Terry ------------------
Mullen RP D10 /8x5 / Nashville 112/ American Strat Highway 1 model
pickin for Jesus |
Billy Murdoch
Member From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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posted 10 April 2006 12:44 PM
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Terry,
I bought an e bow many years ago and used it for regular guitar and got a fairly good "bowing" soung,I sold it after a while and believe it or not I bought another about a year ago after watching Sarah Jory using it at the Irish steel show.
You can get some great "Human voice" sounds on the Pedal Steel and if you get the delay set right it is really good.You will only use it now and again however...
Best regards
Billy |
Mark van Allen
Member From: loganville, Ga. USA
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posted 11 April 2006 09:37 AM
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The E-bow is a great tool. I use mine frequently. I just wish I could get my original two-string model repaired... |
Mark Lind-Hanson
Member From: San Francisco, California, USA
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posted 11 April 2006 09:59 AM
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I didn't realize they ever made a 2-string model.
I like it for 6 string esp- I am not so sure it actually gives much of an actual "bowed fiddle" tone, though it is GREAT for maintaining sustain you wouldn't believe- probably not otherwise possible. For steel, I would think you would at least need a two-string capacity since so much of what's done on steel is harmonic.
I also found it a little more difficult to locate what they call the sweet spot with the steel pickups so far down toward the bridge.
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Terry Bethel
Member From: Hollister,Mo 65672 USA
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posted 11 April 2006 11:09 AM
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I also have a two string and a single string model. They are both the original models with the chrome covers. They both work very well, considering there are probably close to 30 years old. I got them when I was with Mel in the middle 70's.Terry Bethel |
Darvin Willhoite
Member From: Leander, Tx. USA
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posted 11 April 2006 11:46 AM
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A Bosstone will give you a closer fiddle sound. I use a Tubeworks tube driver for distortion in the band I play in and do pads using single strings. On the lower strings, it sounds like cellos, and on the higher strings it sounds like violins. I also have an Ebow, but I use it very little, it pretty much limits you to one string unless you're dexterous enough to move it from string to string while you're playing, I'm not. ------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 11 April 2006 at 11:50 AM.]
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Mike Perlowin
Member From: Los Angeles CA
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posted 11 April 2006 07:59 PM
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The 2 string version was made specifically for steel. I have one. I had a spare, but it was in my car when it was stolen, and when it was recovered, everything in the trunk, including a steel and amp, was gone. |
Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 12 April 2006 07:43 AM
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Thanks for the info guys. Sorry for your loss Mike.Ken told me he placed the E-bow on the 5th or B string when he was making the fiddle sound. Is this where most of you place it to get a fiddle sound, or do you use a smaller string?
It didn't sound exactly like a fiddle, but to my ears it was close enough to make me want one. Darwin, how much is the Boss tone, and do you have to have the distortion effect to sound like a fiddle? Terry ------------------
Mullen RP D10 /8x5 / Nashville 112/ American Strat Highway 1 model
pickin for Jesus |
Mike Perlowin
Member From: Los Angeles CA
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posted 12 April 2006 08:37 AM
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I should point out that I had all my gear insured, so I was able to replace everything that was stolen, except the 2 string E-bow.The one I still have works great. ------------------
My web site
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Mark van Allen
Member From: loganville, Ga. USA
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posted 12 April 2006 10:13 AM
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The two string version for steel was actually the first one they made... mine gave up the ghost years ago, and since all of the guts are potted in hard plastic, there's no way to get in there to monkey with it. Heet sound has told me they are unrepairable. Wish they'd make 'em again- the ability to tip it sideways to bring one or the other string in or out is really cool. You can do a whole lot with the single string version though. A lot of synthish sounds, and very "female vocalish" noises. Check out BE doing "once upon a time in the west"- he totally nails the sound of the (wordless) female vocal on the original movie soundtrack.------------------
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
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Darvin Willhoite
Member From: Leander, Tx. USA
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posted 12 April 2006 11:03 AM
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Terry, there is a Bosstone for sale here on the Forum for $100, which is a good deal. I've seen the originals sell for around $200. I can get a passable cello sound by picking a single string about halfway between the bar and the bridge and using a wide, fast vibrato. The distortion box makes the notes sustain much longer and the overtones makes it sound more "scratchy" or "edgey" like a violin, or violin section does. Our band has an extra keyboard that is used for string and horn sounds, but the player is usually in the higher registers, so I use the lower strings on my steel to kind of beef up the pads they play. Here is a link to a song that our Praise & Worship band does where I used this effect on the verses and a straight steel sound (with chorus effect) on the choruses. Download it and give it a listen.
click here ------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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Terje Larson
Member From: Rinkeby, Spånga, Sweden
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posted 14 April 2006 01:36 AM
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Mike, one day you'll wake up feeling this enormous need to give that two string e-bow to me and then all you have to do is send it to my address ina little box, OK. |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 14 April 2006 04:38 AM
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One word of caution: If you use an E-Bow (or any similar device), keep it away from the pickup!!! The AC field it produces will weaken pickup magnets if it's repeatedly used in close proximity of any magnetic pickup. |
Jim Sliff
Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA
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posted 14 April 2006 06:49 AM
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What Donny said.FWIW, I've had one and so have several friends. It's a "lik it or hate it" gadget. Gangs of fun for the first 10 minutes, then ends up bouncing around the bottom of the gig bag for 10 years. I finally sold mne and don't miss it one bit. With a volume control and a little compression you can do the same thing and play two strings, 3, 4, whatever. |
Jay Fagerlie
Member From: Lotus, California, USA
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posted 14 April 2006 07:45 AM
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"Keep it away from the pickup"?????
That's where it works best!!!
I've been an eBow user since the late 70's, I sure hope I haven't ruined my pickups!
Seriously, I've never heard of that before. I still use mine, every time we play.
There's just certain things not available by any other means....
Jay |
Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 14 April 2006 01:44 PM
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One more question. Is the two string version called the E-bow plus?
The reason I ask is Musicians friend has the E-bow plus for $79. Is that the right one for steel?Terry ------------------
Mullen RP D10 /8x5 / Nashville 112/ American Strat Highway 1 model
pickin for Jesus |
Mark van Allen
Member From: loganville, Ga. USA
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posted 14 April 2006 04:25 PM
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Terry, the original Steel version E-bow, that worked on two strings, is long discontinued. The E-bow plus is the new version with a switch to change the harmonic emphasis. Great for steel but only one string at a time. |
Archie Nicol
Member From: Ayrshire, Scotland
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posted 14 April 2006 04:32 PM
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Get that Hendrix feedback sound!
Bosstone on and E-bow in place on the fifth string.
We'll do it open, key of `B`;
When the string starts ringing at full volume, press and release your `A` pedal continuously to simulate a guitar tremolo arm. Give the string a gentle harmonic touch at the twelfth fret. Then as volume increases touch it at the fifth fret, pressing and releasing the pedal all the time.
The same technique can be used on all of the lower frets up to...well? That's down to your own harmonic touch. Cheers, Arch.
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Terry Sneed
Member From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
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posted 14 April 2006 06:57 PM
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Thanks Mark and Archie. Actually the main thing I want one for is a fiddle sound. But If I need a boss tone to, I'll have to wait a while on the Ebow.Terry ------------------
Mullen RP D10 /8x5 / Nashville 112/ American Strat Highway 1 model
pickin for Jesus |
Bob Martin
Member From: Madison Tn
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posted 14 April 2006 11:56 PM
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When I lived is Sacramento Mike Scaggs had one and he really had it mastered he could really make that thing talk. I don't remember him making any fiddle sounds probably because heplayed fiddle and didn't need to.Anyway he really milked some killer synth/vocal ooh's sounds it seems to me his was a 2 string model maybe he'll see this post and enlighten us. I don't remember him using it on the 6 string only the steel. Bob |
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